Supporting Food Security: Wanam Merauke Irrigation Project Accelerated
PT Brantas Abipraya (Persero) is accelerating the completion of the Wanam Food Production Centre (KSPP) Swamp Irrigation Network Package 2 in Merauke Regency, South Papua. This project is part of the infrastructure development for food production zones, projected to strengthen agricultural production in eastern Indonesia.
The construction of the irrigation network is considered a vital factor in guaranteeing water availability for productive agricultural land in the region. The presence of this irrigation infrastructure is also expected to support the food self-sufficiency programme currently being driven by the government.
Brantas Abipraya Corporate Secretary, Dian Sovana, stated that the company continues to accelerate work despite facing the complex challenges of swampy terrain. “This project presents significant challenges as most of the work area is located on swampland. However, with the support of all stakeholders and the additional resources we have deployed, Brantas Abipraya is committed to maintaining work productivity and pushing for the accelerated completion of the project,” Dian said on Wednesday (3/6/2026).
To date, several key tasks are nearing their targets. The realisation of primary channel excavation has reached 4.832 million cubic metres of the 4.968 million cubic metres target, while excavation for secondary and tertiary channels has reached the volumes specified in the contract.
To support the project’s acceleration, Brantas Abipraya is operating 104 excavators and eight bulldozers across various work sites. The mobilisation of additional machinery is ongoing to increase productivity, particularly in swampy areas with challenging terrain.
According to Dian, the development of the irrigation network is expected to guarantee water supply for agricultural land throughout the year, thereby increasing agricultural productivity and supporting the development of the food zone in Merauke.
The development of the Wanam KSPP is part of the national programme to accelerate the development of food, energy, and water self-sufficiency zones. This area is projected to become one of the new food production hubs in Eastern Indonesia by utilising the vast potential of its swampland.
In addition to focusing on construction work, the project implements green construction principles and the Construction Safety Management System (SMKK) to ensure that project execution meets safety and environmental sustainability standards.
Brantas Abipraya considers the development of irrigation infrastructure to be a fundamental foundation in supporting sustainable food zone development and increasing national agricultural productivity.